Recording apparatus and recording method

ABSTRACT

In a mask pattern used in effecting multi-path recording, (A) a recording permission ratio in each pixel row of a non-boundary area of a first pattern portion corresponding to a first nozzle block is substantially a first value, and a recording permission ratio in each pixel row of a non-boundary area of a second pattern portion corresponding to a second nozzle block adjacent the first nozzle block is substantially a second value, and (B) in a boundary area including a boundary between the first pattern portion and the second pattern portion, the recording permission ratio in each pixel row is between the first value and the second value, and the recording permission ratios in each pixel line are made different depending on a position with respect to a scanning direction.

The present application is a continuation of PCT/JP2009/071713, filedDec. 18, 2009, which claims priority to JP 2008-324128 filed Dec. 19,2008, the entire disclosure of each of which is incorporated byreference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a serial type recording apparatuswherein an image is formed stepwisely on a recording material byrepeating movement the recording scan) with recording by recording headand a feeding operation of the recording material.

BACKGROUND ART

In the serial type ink jet recording apparatus, a multi-path recordingmethod is generally used to reduce connection stripes appearing aboundary portion between adjacent recording scans and a densityunevenness resulting from a variation in ink ejection properties ofrespective nozzles. With such a multi-path recording, it is known thatthe evenness of the output images is improved with increase of thenumber of the multi-paths (the number of recording scans for a unitarea), whereas on the other hand, the throughput decreases therewith.Therefore, a recording method with which high image quality images areoutputted with as small number of multi-paths as possible is desired.

A method with which the throughput is improved, there is abi-directional multi-path recording in which the recording operation iscarried out both in a forward path and a backward path of a carriagecarrying the recording head. Using the bi-directional multi-pathrecording, the number of recording scans is approximately one half thatin the unidirectional recording with the same number of the multi-paths,and therefore, the time required for the recording operation can bereduced. However, it has been confirmed that the bi-directionalmulti-path recording may cause another unevenness between bands due to avariation in a density, a hue or a glossiness occurring at intervalscorresponding to a feeding distance of the recording material. In thepresent Specification, the new unevenness between adjacent bandsoccurring in the bi-directional multi-path recording is calledinter-band unevenness.

Parts (a) and (b) of FIG. 1 are schematic views illustratingspecifically a cause and a phenomenon of the inter-band unevenness. Part(a) of FIG. 1 illustrates the case of four path bi-directional recordingusing a recording head 1000 including four arrays of nozzle groups forejecting cyan ink (C), magenta ink (M), yellow ink (Y) and black ink(K), respectively. The recording head 1000 carries out the forward pathrecording scan and the backward path recording scan alternately in adirection of X, during which between the recording scans, the recordinghead 1000 moves relative to the recording material in a direction of Yby the distance corresponding to a width of a unit area each time.

Here, a left-hand end portion of a first band having a unit area width,first. At this time, the area receives the inks in the order of C-M-Y-Kin the first recording scan, and then after a relatively long timecorresponding substantially to one reciprocal scanning operation of therecording head, it receives the ink in the order of K-Y-M-C. In aleft-hand end portion of a second band adjacent to the first band, thearea receives the inks in the order of K-Y-M-C, and then after arelatively short time corresponding substantially to a revertingoperation of the recording head, it receives the ink in the order ofC-M-Y-K. Thereafter, in the third band adjacent to the second band andodd number bands following the third band, the inks are applied in thesame conditions as in the first band, and in the fourth band adjacent tothe third band and even number bands following the fourth band, the inksare applied in the same conditions as in the second band. Thus, twokinds of bands having different order and intervals of the color inkapplications to the recording material appear alternately in the Ydirection. The different order and different intervals of the color inkapplications influence quite significantly the density, the hue and/orthe glossiness of the image formed on the recording material. As aresult, the inter-band unevenness are remarkable in the image comprisingthe bands shown in part (b) of FIG. 1, which are different in theapplication order and/or timing.

In order to reduce the image defect of such an inter-band unevenness inthe multi-path recording, it is effective to adjust a recordingpermission ratio of each nozzle of the recording head.

Here, the recording permission ratio is a ratio of the pixels for whichthe recording is permitted in one recording scan (movement) of therecording head, to a plurality of pixels included in a predeterminedarea. For example, a recording permission ratio of a nozzle is a ratioof the pixels in one nozzle passing by one movement (scanning) of therecording head, for which pixels the recording by the nozzle ispermitted, to all the pixels of such a nozzle. The permission andnon-permission of the recording for each pixel are ordinarily determinedby a mask pattern prepared beforehand. Therefore, the recordingpermission ratio of each nozzle is determined by the mask pattern, andin the present Specification, the adjustment of the recording permissionratio means adjustment of an arrangement of the recording permissionpixels in the mask pattern.

For example, Japanese Laid-open Patent Application 2000-108322 andJapanese Laid-open Patent Application 2002-96455 specifically disclose astructure in which by using the improved mask pattern so as to determinethe recording permission ratios of the nozzles with a predeterminedbias, connection stripes and density unevenness are less conspicuouseven with a small number of multi-paths, is disclosed.

In the multi-path recording, in order to maintain an evenness of theimage, it is effective to control the recording permission ratio inrespective recording scans (nozzle block) by a method other than thosedisclosed in the Japanese publications. The appearing of the inter-bandunevenness is different depending on various conditions such as the kindof the recording material, the kind of the ink, but the evenness of theimage can be maintained if the recording permission ratio can beadjusted using a mask pattern in accordance with various conditions.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

However, when the recording permission ratio is adjusted so as tosuppress the inter-band unevenness, connection stripes or anotherunevenness appears within individual bands with the result that apreferable image cannot be provided, in some cases. For example, inorder to make the recording permission ratio for a unit area of therecording material, the plurality of nozzles of the recording head aredivided into blocks corresponding to the width of the unit area, and therecording permission ratios are set such that individual nozzle blockshave different recording permission ratios. In such a case, however, ifthere exists a relatively large difference in the recording permissionratios of a nozzle blocks, a portion where the recording permissionratio changes significantly appears linearly in the main scan directionwith the result of conspicuous connection, in some cases.

Such connection stripes can be made less conspicuous, by making thechange of the recording permission ratio in each of the nozzle blocksgradual, so that the change of the recording permission ratio at theboundary between the adjacent nozzle blocks is not extreme, as disclosedin Japanese Laid-open Patent Application 2002-96455.

However, if the recording permission ratios of the nozzles in a nozzleblock is not substantially constant, another problem of the colorunevenness or glossiness unevenness appearing within the unit areaarises. Hereinafter, the unevenness caused by the recording permissionratios of the nozzles in a nozzle block being not substantiallyconstant, is called in-band unevenness.

As will be understood, in the conventional bi-directional multi-pathrecording, it is not possible to simultaneously solve the problems ofthe inter-band unevenness, the connection stripe and the in-bandunevenness.

The present invention is intended to solve the problems. Accordingly, itis an object of the present invention to provide a recording method andan ink jet recording apparatus capable of implementing the recordingmethod with which the inter-band unevenness, the connection stripes andthe in-band unevenness can be solved simultaneously.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided arecording apparatus for effecting recording on a recording materialusing a recording head including a plurality of nozzles usable for therecording, the nozzles being arranged in a first direction, saidrecording apparatus comprising moving means for moving said recordinghead in a second direction crossing with the first direction; feedingmeans for feeding the recording material in the first direction by adistance corresponding to a width of one of a plurality of nozzle blocksinto which said plurality of nozzles are divided, between movements ofsaid recording; and control means executing the recording of saidrecording head during the movement of said recording head in accordancewith image data corresponding to said nozzles and a mask pattern formasking the image data; wherein (i) said mask pattern includes at leasta first pattern portion for masking the image data corresponding to eachnozzle of a first nozzle block included in said plurality of nozzleblocks, and a second pattern portion for masking the image datacorresponding to each nozzle of a second nozzle block adjacent saidfirst nozzle block, (ii) a ratio of recording permission pixels in eachpixel row extending in the second direction in a non-boundary area ofsaid first pattern portion is substantially a first value, and a ratioof recording permission pixels in each pixel row extending in the seconddirection in a non-boundary area of said second pattern portion issubstantially a second value which is different from a first value,(iii) in a boundary area including a boundary between said first patternportion and said second pattern portion, a ratio of recording permissionpixels in each pixel row extending in the second direction is betweenthe first value and the second value, and the ratios of the recordingpermission pixels in a pixel line extending in the first direction aredifferent depending on a position with respect to the second direction.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda recording method for effecting recording on a recording material usinga recording head including a plurality of nozzles usable for therecording, the nozzles being arranged in a first direction, saidrecording method comprising: a moving step of moving said recording headin a second direction crossing with the first direction; a feeding stepof feeding the recording material in the first direction by a distancecorresponding to a width of one of a plurality of nozzle blocks intowhich said plurality of nozzles are divided, between movements of saidrecording; and a recording step of executing the recording of saidrecording head during the movement of said recording head in accordancewith image data corresponding to said nozzles and a mask pattern formasking the image data; wherein (i) said mask pattern includes at leasta first pattern portion for masking the image data corresponding to eachnozzle of a first nozzle block included in said plurality of nozzleblocks, and a second pattern portion for masking the image datacorresponding to each nozzle of a second nozzle block adjacent saidfirst nozzle block, (ii) a ratio of recording permission pixels in eachpixel row extending in the second direction in a non-boundary area ofsaid first pattern portion is substantially a first value, and a ratioof recording permission pixels in each pixel row extending in the seconddirection in a non-boundary area of said second pattern portion issubstantially a second value which is different from a first value, and(iii) in a boundary area including a boundary between said first patternportion and said second pattern portion, a ratio of recording permissionpixels in each pixel row extending in the second direction is betweenthe first value and the second value, and the ratios of the recordingpermission pixels in a pixel line extending in the first direction aredifferent depending on a position with respect to the second direction.

According to the present invention, the inter-band unevenness, theconnection stripes and the in-band unevenness can be simultaneouslyreduced.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent upon a consideration of thefollowing description of the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In FIG. 1, part (a) and part (b) are schematic views specificallyillustrating a cause and a phenomenon of in-band unevenness.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating structures of a host apparatus100 and a recording apparatus 104 in a recording system to which thepresent invention is applicable.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a structure of the recordingapparatus 104 employed in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating a nozzle arrangement of therecording head used in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a flow of image processingexecuted by a host apparatus and a recording apparatus in the recordingsystem according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view schematically illustrating a structure of amulti-path recording.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating a specific example of a maskpattern in two-path recording.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a mask pattern (flat mask) having arecording ratio of 25% in any of nozzle blocks.

In FIG. 9, parts (a) and (b) illustrate an example of a distribution ofthe recording permission ratios and a dispersion state of recordingpermission pixels in the mask pattern which is adjusted in the recordingpermission ratios so that the inter-band unevenness does not appear.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a distribution of the recordingpermission ratios and a dispersion state of recording permission pixelsin the mask pattern which is adjusted in the recording permission ratiosso that the inter-band unevenness and connection stripes do not appear.

In FIG. 11, parts (a) and (b) illustrate a distribution of the recordingpermission ratios and a dispersion state of recording permission pixelsin the mask pattern which is made according to the first embodiment sothat the inter-band unevenness, the connection stripes and the in-bandunevenness do not appear.

FIG. 12 illustrates a state in which a distribution of the recordingpermission ratios in a first direction of the mask pattern shown in FIG.11 is different depending on a pixel position with respect to a seconddirection.

FIG. 13 illustrates a dispersion state of the recording permissionpixels between a non-boundary area and a boundary area of the maskpattern shown FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 illustrates an example of the mask pattern with which a positionof the boundary portion changes along an arcuation.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example of a mask pattern having sawtooth shapeat the boundary portion.

FIG. 16 illustrates an example of a mask pattern having a sinusoidalwave shape at the position of the boundary portion.

FIG. 17 illustrates an example in which amplitude (width of boundaryarea) and a cyclic period of the boundary portion shape are smaller thanthose of the mask pattern of FIG. 15.

FIG. 18 illustrates a result of comparison in an image quality when themulti-path recording is carries out using the mask patterns shown inFIGS. 8-11.

FIG. 19 illustrates an example of a dispersion state of the recordingpermission pixels of a conventional stepwise mask for 6 path recording.

FIG. 20 illustrates an example of a dispersion state of the recordingpermission pixels of a conventional gradation mask for 6 path recording.

FIG. 21 illustrates a dispersion state of the recording permissionpixels of a mask pattern for 6 path recording shown in FIG. 21.

FIG. 22 illustrates a state in which a distribution of the recordingpermission ratios with respect to the first direction of the maskpattern changes depending on a pixel position with respect to a seconddirection.

FIG. 23 illustrations an example of a mask pattern partly incorporatinga feature of the present invention.

FIG. 24 illustrations an example of a mask pattern partly incorporatinga feature of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described indetail.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating structures of a host apparatus100 and a recording apparatus 104 constituting a recording systemapplicable to the present invention.

CPU108 operates software programs of an application 101, a printerdriver 103 and a display driver 105 through an operating system 102 inaccordance with various programs stored in a hard disk (HD) 107 and ROM110. At this time, a RAM 109 functions as a work area when variousprocesses are carried out. The display driver 105 produces image data tobe displayed on a display 106. The printer driver 103 converts the imagedata to be supplied to OS102 from the application software 101 tomulti-value or binary image data which can be received by the recordingapparatus 104, and then send the converted data to the recordingapparatus 104.

The recording apparatus 104 comprises a controller 200, a recording head1000, a head driving circuit 202, a carriage 4000, a carriage motor 204,a feeding roller 205, a feeding motor 206 and so on. The head drivingcircuit 202 is a circuit for driving the recording head 1000, and drivesthe recording head 1000 to eject the ink. The carriage motor 204 is amotor for moving reciprocally the carriage 4000 for carrying therecording head 100. The feeding motor 206 is a motor for driving thefeeding roller 205 for feeding a recording material. The controller 200functions to control the entirety of the apparatus and comprises aCPU210 in the form of a microprocessor, a ROM 211 storing a controlprogram, a RAM 212 for use by CPU at the time of image data processingand so on. The ROM 211 stores a control program and so on forcontrolling a mask pattern and a multi-path recording according to thepresent invention which will be described hereinafter. The controller200 controls the carriage motor 204, the feeding motor 206 to executethe multi-path recording, and in addition generates image datacorresponding to each scanning of the multi-path recording, for example.In more detail, the controller 200 reads a mask pattern out of the ROM211 in accordance with a control program, and divides the image datacorresponding to a unit area into image data to be recorded by nozzleblocks corresponding to respective scannings of the multi-pathrecording, using a mask pattern read out. Furthermore, the controller200 controls the head driving circuit 202 so that the ink is ejectedfrom the recording head 1000 in accordance with the divided image data.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a substantial structure of therecording apparatus 104 employed by this embodiment. The carriage 4000as a moving means carries the recording head 1000 which is provided withfour nozzle groups for ejecting cyan (C) ink, magenta (M) ink, yellow(Y) ink and black ink, respectively. An unshown control means includinga controller and so on causes the recording head 1000 to execute the inkejecting operation during movement of the carriage 4000 in the directionof X in accordance with the image data received from a host apparatus.When one recording scan by the recording head 1000 is completed, therecording material is fed in the direction of Y crossing the Xdirection, by unshown feeding means including a feeding roller or thelike by an amount corresponding to the number of paths of the multi-pathrecording. Thereafter, the recording with head movement in the Xdirection (head moving direction) and the feeding in the Y direction arerepeated, by which images are formed on the recording materialsequentially. In this embodiment, a bi-directional multi-path recordingtype is used, wherein the ink ejecting operation is carries out both ina forward path direction and a backward path direction of the headmovement.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating a state of a nozzle arrangementin the recording head 1000 used in this embodiment. The recording head1000 of this embodiment is provided with four nozzle groups 1001 forejecting four kinds (first to fourth) of inks, respectively, the nozzlegroups being juxtaposed in the X direction the head moving direction).In this embodiment, the first ink is cyan (C), the second ink is magenta(M), the third ink is yellow (Y), and the fourth ink is black (K). Eachcolor nozzle group 1001 has 256 nozzles arranged in a first direction.More particularly, each color nozzle group 1001 includes two nozzlearrays each having 128 nozzles arranged at 600 dpi pitch in the firstdirection (Y direction, here), and these two nozzle arrays are arrangedin the first direction with half pitch offset. Thus, by the ink ejectingoperation from these nozzles during movement the recording head 1000 inthe X direction, the image can be recorded at the resolution of 1200 dpi(dot/inch). As described above, in this embodiment, a recording headcomprising a plurality of nozzle groups each including a plurality ofnozzles for ejecting the same color ink is used, but the presentinvention is not limited to such an example.

In this embodiment, for simplicity, the arranging direction (firstdirection) of the nozzles for ejecting same color ink is the same as thefeeding direction the Y direction) of the recording material. However,the nozzle arranging direction (first direction) and the feedingdirection (Y direction) are not necessarily the same. The advantageouseffects of the present invention which will be described hereinafter areprovided even if the nozzle arranging direction (first direction) isinclined more or less relative to the Y direction.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a flow of image processingoperations executed by the host apparatus 100 and the recordingapparatus 104 in the recording system described in the foregoing.

By the host apparatus 100, the user produces image data to record by therecording apparatus 104 using the application 101. The image dataproduced by the application 101 upon the recording is transferred to theprinter driver 103.

The printer driver 103 executes a preliminary process J0002, a laterstage process J0003, a γ-correction J0004, a binarization process J0005,and a print data preparation process J0006.

Referring to FIG. 2, in the preliminary process J0002, the application101 executes color gamut conversion by which a color gamut of the imagedisplayed on the display 106 through the display driver 105 is convertedto a color gamut of the recording apparatus 104. More particularly, 8bit image data R, G, B are converted to 8 bit data R, G, B in the colorgamut of the recording apparatus 104, referring to a three-dimensionalLUT stored in the ROM 110.

In the later stage process J0003, a signal value conversion is carriesout so that R, G, B after the conversion are expressed by four inkcolors C, M, Y, K ejected by the recording head 1000 carried in therecording apparatus 104. More particularly, the 8 bit data R, G, Bprovided by the preliminary process J0002 are converted to 8 bit data C,M, Y, K by referring to the three-dimensional LUT stored in the ROM 110.

Subsequently, the γ correction J0004 executes γ correction of the CMYKdata provided by the later stage process J0003. More particularly, aconversion is carries out so that the 8 bit data CMYK provided by colorseparation linearly correspond to a tone gradation property of therecording apparatus.

In the binarization process J0005, γ-corrected 8 bit data C, M, Y, K areconverted to 1 bit data C, M, Y, K through a predetermined quantizationprocess method. Each of the binarized image data has 1 bit informationindicative of whether to record the dot for a pixel corresponding to aprint resolution of the recording apparatus 104.

In the print data preparation process J0006, print data is produced byassigning control information relating to the recording operation, suchas recording material information, recording quality information, sheetfeeding method or the like to 1 bit color data generated by thebinarization process J0005. The print data generated in this manner issupplied to the recording apparatus 104 from the host apparatus 100.

The recording apparatus 104 carries out a masking process J0008 using amask pattern prepared for binary image data included in print datasupplied thereto. Here, the mask pattern is a pattern which determineswhether to permit recording or not for each of pixels constituting anarea passed by the nozzle by one movement of the recording head, asdescribed hereinbefore.

In the masking process J0008, the binary image data is divided intoimage data to record by each of the nozzle blocks corresponding to eachscanning of the multi-path recording, using a predetermined mask patternstored in a memory of the recording apparatus 104. More particularly, alogical multiplication calculation is carries out by the mask pattern(binary data) determining whether to record or not and the binary imagedata supplied from the host apparatus 100, for each pixel in the areapassed by each nozzle through one scanning of the recording head. As aresult, binary image data for actual recording in one recording scan ofthe recording head are generated. Thereafter, the generated binary imagedata are supplied to the head driving circuit J0009. Each nozzle of therecording head 1000 executes the recording operation at predeterminedtiming in accordance with the binary image data.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view schematically illustrating a structure of amulti-path recording. The recording apparatus of the embodiment is aserial type ink jet recording apparatus, wherein the recording scan inwhich the ink is ejected on the basis of the binary image data whilemoving the recording head 1000 in the X direction, and the feedingoperation in which the recording material is fed in the Y direction, arecarried out alternately to form an image stepwisely. Here, thedescription will be made as to an example in which two-path recording iseffected as the multi-path recording.

In the case of two-path recording, each color nozzle group of therecording head 1000 is divided into a first nozzle block having 128nozzles and a second nozzle block having 128 nozzles in the nozzlearranging direction (Y direction in this example). In each recordingscan, each nozzle block effects binary image data recording inaccordance with the mask pattern corresponding to the nozzle block. Amask pattern portion corresponding to the first nozzle block is calledfirst pattern portion and a mask pattern portion corresponding to thesecond nozzle block is called second pattern portion.

Referring to FIG. 6, the description will be made taking cyan. The firstnozzle block of cyan is correlated with a mask pattern C1 as the firstpattern portion, and the second nozzle block of cyan is correlated witha mask pattern C2 as the second pattern portion. In a first scanning,the recording is carried out by the first nozzle block of cyan inaccordance with the mask pattern C1 in a unit area A of the recordingmaterial. The recording material is fed by the amount corresponding to awidth of unit area A, and then in a second scanning, the recording iscarried out by the second nozzle block of cyan in accordance with themask pattern C2. By the two recording scans, the recording is effectedby a sum of the mask patterns C1 and C2 in the unit area A with the cyanink. The mask patterns C1 and C2 are in a complementary relationrelative to each other, and all of the cyan binary data are recordedeither by the first nozzle block or the second nozzle block in the tworecording scans. The mask pattern is used as means for determiningwhether to permit recording of the image data corresponding to eachpixel, in order to divide the binary image data into two nozzle blocks.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating a specific example of the maskpattern in the two-path recording. Here, for simplicity, the descriptionwill be made as to an example of a recording head having 8 nozzlesincluding four nozzles in the first nozzle block and four nozzles in thesecond nozzle block. In this example, the mask pattern as the firstpattern portion corresponding to the first nozzle block is PA, and themask pattern as the second pattern portion corresponding to the secondnozzle block is PB. Each mask pattern comprises an area of fourpixels×four pixels, wherein the pixels indicated by black are pixels forwhich recording is permitted (recording permission pixel), and thepixels indicated by white are pixels for which recording is notpermitted (non-recording-permission pixel). More particularly, the maskpattern comprises binary data including 1 indicative of the recordingpermission pixel and 0 indicative of the non-recording-permission pixel,which are subjected to logical multiplication process (masking process)with the binary image data Mask pattern 1 does not mask the binary imagedata 1 to permit recording based on 1 of the binary image data. On theother hand, the mask pattern 0 masks the binary image data 1 to preventrecording based on the binary image data 1. The mask patterns PA and PBare in complementary relation with each other, and the recording for allpixels in the unit area of the recording material by the first scanningwith the first nozzle block and the second scanning with the secondnozzle block.

Here, for simplicity, the description has been made as to an example inwhich the recording permission pixels and the non-recording-permissionpixels are arranged in a staggered fashion in an area of 4 pixels×4pixels. However, the size of the mask pattern employed in the actualmulti-path recording is larger than that of the mask shown in FIG. 7, asshown in FIG. 11 or the like. The arrangement of the recordingpermission pixels and the non-recording-permission pixels of the maskpattern is more complicated than that of the mask shown in FIG. 7.

In addition, in the foregoing, a two-path recording as an example of themulti-path recording has been described, but the present invention isapplicable to a larger number multi-path recording, such as four-pathrecording. In other words, the multi-path recording is implementable if,for multi-path number of N, the nozzle group is divided into N blocks,and the mask patterns complementary with each other are assigned to therespective blocks, wherein the recording material is fed between therecording scans by the amount corresponding to the width of the block.

In the following, embodiments employing the ink jet recording system andthe multi-path recording method described in the foregoing will bedescribed with features of specific mask patterns.

Embodiment 1

The embodiment employs a mask pattern four-path recording. FIGS. 8-11shows a distribution of recording permission ratios the dispersion stateof recording permission pixels with respect to each of the conventionalmask pattern and the mask pattern of this embodiment, for the purpose ofcomparing the conventional mask pattern and the mask pattern of thisembodiment.

In the case of four-path recording, the nozzle group is divided intofour nozzle blocks (first-fourth nozzle blocks) in the first direction,and between sets each including four scanning operations, the recordingmaterial is fed by the distance corresponding to the width of one block.Here, four nozzle blocks are first to fourth blocks. In this embodiment,each nozzle group comprises 256 nozzles, and therefore, each blockcomprises 64 nozzles.

A unit area, having a width corresponding to 64 nozzles, of the unitarea on the recording material is subjected to a first recording scan bya first nozzle block, then a second scanning by a second nozzle block,then a third scanning by a nozzle block, and then a fourth scanning by afourth nozzle block, by which an image is completed. In the following,mask pattern portions for masking the image data corresponding to thenozzles of the first, second, third and fourth nozzle blocks,respectively are called first, second, third and fourth patternportions, respectively.

A definition and an interpretation of the recording permission ratio inthis Specification will be described. The recording permission ratio isa ratio of the pixels for which the recording is permitted in onerecording scan (movement) of the recording head to the pixelsconstituting a predetermined area. The recording permission ratio of thenozzle is a ratio of the pixels for which the recording of the nozzle ispermitted to the pixels which the nozzle passes in one movement(scanning) of the recording head. The recording permission ratio of thenozzle block is a ratio of the pixels for which the recording of thenozzle block is permitted to the pixels which the nozzle block passes inone movement (scanning) of the recording head. Here, the arrangement ofthe pixels for which the recording is permitted in one scanning of therecording head is determined by a mask pattern prepared beforehand.Therefore, the recording permission ratio of the nozzle, the recordingpermission ratio of the nozzle block, the recording permission ratio aredetermined on the basis of the mask pattern. The recording permissionratio determined on the basis of the mask pattern is a ratio of therecording permission pixels to the recorded pixels and thenon-recording-permission-pixels constituting the mask pattern.

In a step of preparing a mask pattern of the present invention, thedetermination is made as to whether the respective pixels are to berecording permission pixels or non-recording-permission pixels on thebasis of a design target recording permission ratio. As a result of useof the mask pattern prepared in this manner, the design target recordingpermission ratio is provided in the predetermined area constituted bythe plurality of pixels.

FIG. 8 shows a distribution of the recording permission ratios of themask pattern wherein the recording permission ratios of the nozzles are25% also in any block. In the Figure, an abscissa indicates anarrangement position of the nozzle with respect to the nozzle arrangingdirection the first direction), and an ordinate indicates the recordingpermission ratios of the respective nozzles. In the case of the maskpattern shown in FIG. 8, the unit area (same image area) of therecording material is recorded by the first block to the fourth block upto 100%=25%+25%+25%+25%. In the present Specification, the constant maskpattern in which the recording permission ratios are the same for allthe nozzles is called flat mask. When a bi-directional multi-pathrecording is carries out using such a flat mask, unit areas with whichthe application order of the color inks and/or the application timingare different appear alternately as has been described in the foregoingin conjunction with FIG. 1, and therefore, the inter-band unevenness isproduced.

Parts (a) and (b) of FIG. 9 show a distribution of the recordingpermission ratios of the mask pattern adjusted for each block for nozzleblocks so as to suppress the inter-band unevenness and a dispersionstate of the recording permission pixels. In the mask pattern of FIG. 9,the recording permission ratios of the first pattern portioncorresponding to the first block and the fourth pattern portioncorresponding to the fourth block are 15%, and the recording permissionratios of the second pattern portion corresponding to the second blockand the third pattern portion corresponding to the third block are 35%.As shown in part (b) of FIG. 9, the mask pattern comprising first-fourthpattern portions includes 128 pixels in a main scan direction (seconddirection) and 256 pixels in a sub-scan direction (first direction)which are either a recording permission pixels (black) or anon-recording-permission pixel (white). Particularly, in the maskpattern, a ratio of the recording permission pixels in each pixel rowextending in the second direction is constant such that the recordingpermission ratio of the nozzle in a block is constant the (flat). Whensuch a mask pattern is used, the unit area of the recording material isrecorded by the first—fourth blocks up to 15%+35%+35%+15%=100%.

In this Specification, a mask pattern in which the recording permissionratio in each block is substantially constant, but the recordingpermission ratios are adjusted for respective blocks and therefore aredifferent from block to block, is called stepwise mask. When, however,the recording is effected using the stepwise mask shown in parts (a) and(b) of FIG. 9, portions (boundary portion) where the recordingpermission ratios of the adjacent blocks are significantly differentfrom each other appear extending linearly in the second direction (mainscan direction the) as has been described in the foregoing. As a result,connection stripes appear at the boundary portions. When the differencebetween the recording permission ratios of the adjacent blocks is large,the connection strips tend to occur.

Parts (a) and (b) of FIG. 10 show an example of the distribution of therecording permission ratios of the mask pattern which are adjusted forrespective nozzles so as to suppress both of the inter-band unevennessand the connection strip, and a dispersion state of the recordingpermission pixels. With such a mask pattern, the recording permissionratios are adjusted for nozzle blocks, respectively, and the recordingpermission ratios are adjusted for nozzles, respectively so as toprevent extreme difference in the recording permission ratio adjacent tothe boundary between the adjacent nozzle blocks and in all the nozzleareas in the block. As shown in part (b) of FIG. 10, the recordingpermission pixels of the mask pattern have high dispersion property overthe entire area, and in addition, the ratio of the recording permissionpixel (recording permission ratio) in each pixel row changes smoothlyalong the first direction.

In this Specification, the mask pattern in which the recordingpermission ratio of the nozzle gradually changes within the nozzle blockand also between nozzle blocks as shown in parts (a) and (b) of FIG. 10,is called gradation mask. With use of the gradation mask, the recordingpermission ratio change between the nozzle blocks is properly adjusted,and in addition, the change of the recording permission ratio adjacentto the boundary between adjacent nozzle blocks can be made gradual, andtherefore, both of the inter-band unevenness and the connection stripcan be suppressed. As has been described in the foregoing, when therecording permission ratio is changed within the nozzle block, anin-band unevenness occurring within the band corresponding to the widthof the nozzle block may result, in some cases.

Parts (a) and (b) of FIG. 11 show a distribution of the recordingpermission ratios of a mask pattern of this embodiment prepared so as tosuppress all of the inter-band unevenness, the connection strip and thein-band unevenness, and the dispersion state of the recording permissionpixel. The mask pattern of this embodiment is prepared so as to satisfyall of a first condition for suppressing the inter-band unevenness, asecond condition for suppressing the connection strip and a thirdcondition for suppressing the in-band unevenness.

Here, by the first condition, recording permission ratios of the nozzleblocks are adjusted for each block. As a result of the adjustment,average recording permission ratios of at least two adjacent patternportions corresponding to at least two adjacent blocks are differentfrom each other. In the example of FIG. 11, an average recordingpermission ratio of the first pattern portion corresponding to the firstblock is approx. 15%, and an average recording permission ratio of thesecond pattern portion corresponding to the second block is approx. 35%.

The second condition is that in a boundary area including the boundarybetween the pattern portions corresponding to the adjacent nozzleblocks, (A) the recording permission ratio in each pixel row extendingin the second direction (main scan direction) is within the rangebetween the recording permission ratio of the non-boundary area of oneof the pattern portions and the recording permission ratio of thenon-boundary area of the other pattern portion, and (B) the recordingpermission ratio in a pixel line extending in the first direction(sub-scan direction) changes in accordance with the position withrespect to the second direction the main scan direction). By satisfyingthe second condition, within the pixel line in the boundary area, theposition, with respect to the sub-scan direction, the position where therecording permission ratio changes does not continue linearly in themain scan direction.

The third condition is that in each pattern portion corresponding to thenozzle block, the recording permission ratio is substantially constantin each pixel row of the non-boundary area which is other than theboundary area. Here, substantially constant rather than constant is usedbecause in the mask pattern of this embodiment, it is not necessary thatthe recording permission ratios of each of the pixel row are strictlyconstant. As described in the foregoing, the recording permission ratioof each pixel row is determined depending on the number of the recordingpermission pixels of the pixels (constant) included in the pixel row.Therefore, for the pixel row group in which the same recordingpermission ratio are to be set, the number of the recording permissionpixels included in the pixel row group are set to be the same. However,there is a case in which the number of the recording permission pixelsincluded in the pixel row group cannot be set to be the same, for thefollowing reason. For example, consider that the recording permissionratios of 10 pixel rows corresponding to 10 nozzles. If the size of themask pattern in the scanning direction is 100 pixels, the number of therecording permission pixel corresponding to each of 10 pixel rows is setto be 15, and then the recording permission ratio of each pixel row is15%. On the other hand, if the size of the mask pattern in the scanningdirection is 128 pixels, the number of the recording permission pixelcorresponding to each of 10 pixel rows has to be set to be 19.2. Thedigits to the right of the decimal point are not selectable, andtherefore, 19 recording permission pixels are set for 8 pixel rows outof 10 pixel rows, and 20 recording permission pixels are set forremaining 2 pixel rows. For this reason, even in the case that the samerecording permission ratio is to be set, the numbers of the recordingpermission pixels for respective pixel rows may be more or less uneven,depending on the size of the mask pattern. Therefore, also in thisembodiment, the recording permission ratios of pixel rows constitutingthe non-boundary area are not always 15% or 35% strictly, and theyinvolve more or less variations, as the case may be. Thus, substantiallyconstant includes constant covering the above-described variations inthe recording permission ratio, but the variation is not large enough toobserve the in-band unevenness.

Referring to parts (a) and (b) of FIG. 11, at the boundaries betweenadjacent mask patterns of the first-fourth pattern portions, boundaryareas L12, L23 and L34 each comprising 32 pixels (16 pixels from each ofadjacent ones) are provided. In the non-boundary areas of the firstpattern portion corresponding to the first block and the fourth patternportion corresponding to the fourth block, the number and distributionof the recording permission pixels are determined so that a ratio of therecording permission pixels in each pixel row extending in the seconddirection is substantially 15% (first value). In addition, in thenon-boundary area of the second pattern portion corresponding to thesecond block and the third pattern portion corresponding to the thirdblock, the number and distribution of the recording permission pixelsare determined so that a ratio of the recording permission pixels ineach pixel row is second substantially 35% (value). In this manner, saidmask pattern of FIG. 11 satisfies the above-described first and thirdconditions.

On the other hand, in the boundary areas L12 and L34, the ratio of therecording permission pixels in the pixel row is between theabove-described first value (15%) and second value (35%), and the ratioof the recording permission pixels in the pixel line extending in thefirst direction is different depending on the position in the seconddirection. Particularly, in each pixel line, the recording permissionratio changes drastically at one of 32 pixels along the first direction(here, from 15% to 35%). The portion where the recording permissionratio drastically changes is called boundary portion.

For example, in the boundary area L12, the 32 pixels width area includesthe boundary portion where the recording permission ratio of 15% (firstrecording permission ratio) of the non-boundary area of the firstpattern portion and the recording permission ratio of 35% (secondrecording permission ratio) of the non-boundary area of the secondpattern portion change. However, the position of the boundary portionwith respect to the first direction changes in accordance with theposition in the second direction. In the example of part (b) of FIG. 11,the position of the boundary portion in the first direction changes inaccordance with the position in the second direction in a triangularshape. Since the boundary portion changes in the first direction, therecording permission pixels do not disperse in the boundary area L12, ascontrasted to the non-boundary area of the first block or the secondblock.

FIG. 12 illustrates the state in which the distribution of the recordingpermission ratio (distribution of recording permission pixel) in thefirst direction is different depending on the pixel position in thesecond direction, in the mask pattern shown in part (b) of FIG. 11.Designated by reference numerals 121-123 show distributions of therecording permission ratios in and Line3 Line1, Line2 which are pixellines extending in the first direction. In 121-123, the abscissarepresents pixel positions with respect to the first direction (sub-scandirection), and the point of origin (0) corresponds to the upstreammost(bottom in the Figure) pixel in the sub-scan direction. The ordinaterepresents the recording permission ratios of a neighborhood area ineach pixel position (a predetermined area constituted by a plurality ofpixels including the pixel position). In Line1, the recording permissionratio changes from 15% to 35% at the position of 48th pixel, and changesfrom 35% to 15% at the position of 176th pixel. In Line2, the recordingpermission ratio changes from 15% to 35% at the position of the 64thpixel, and changes from 35% to 14% at the position of 192th pixel. InLine3, the recording permission ratio changes from 15% to 35% at theposition of 80th pixel, and changes from 35% to 14% at the position of208th pixel. As will be understood, according to this embodiment, theposition of the boundary portion where the recording permission ratiochanges between 15% and 35% is made different depending on the positionin the main scan direction (second direction). In addition, as will beunderstood from the Figures, the position of the boundary portion in thesub-scan direction periodically and continuously changes within therange of the boundary area.

FIG. 13 illustrates a comparison of the dispersion states of therecording permission pixels in the non-boundary area and boundary areaof the mask pattern of FIG. 11. In the Figure, r101, r102 and r103depict three areas having the same configurations and sizes which arearranged in the second direction (main scan direction) in thenon-boundary area of the first pattern portion corresponding to thefirst block. The ratio of the recording permission pixels (black pixels)to the total pixels within the area is uniformly approx. 15% (firstvalue). In addition, the ratio of the recording permission pixels ineach pixel row of the first pattern portion is also approx. 15%. On theother hand, r301, r302 and r303 depict three areas having the sameconfigurations and sizes which are arranged in the second direction(main scan direction) in the non-boundary area of the second patternportion corresponding to the second block. The ratio of the recordingpermission pixels (black pixels) to the total pixels within the area isuniformly approx. 35% (first value). The ratio of the recordingpermission pixels in each pixel row of the second pattern portion isapprox. 35%.

On the other hand, r201, r202 and r203 depict three areas having thesame configurations and the same sizes which are arranged in the seconddirection (main scan direction) in the boundary area L12. In the areas,as will be observed, the recording permission pixels are divided intocoarse portions and dense portions, as contrasted to the non-boundaryarea where the recording permission pixels are uniform. In addition, theposition of the boundary portion changes depending on the position inmain scan direction the second direction), and therefore, the recordingpermission ratios in the areas r201, r202 and r203. More particularly,in each of areas r201, r202 and r203, (A) the ratio of the recordingpermission pixels in each pixel row is within a range between the ratiosof the two recording permission pixels corresponding to the respectivenon-boundary areas of the first and second pattern portions (15%-35%),and (B) the ratio of the recording permission pixels in each pixel linechanges depending on the position in the second direction (main scandirection).

Thus, this embodiment satisfies the above-described second condition,and therefore, the position of the boundary portion, with respect to thesub-scan direction, where the recording permission ratio changesdrastically is not continuous in the main scan direction. By this, theconnecting stripe which may be caused by the position of the boundaryportion in the sub-scan direction being continuous in the main scandirection can be reduced. In addition, according to the mask pattern ofthis embodiment described with parts (a) and (b) of FIG. 11, the firstcondition that the recording permission ratios of the nozzle blocks areadjusted for each block is satisfied. Also, the third condition thatwithin each nozzle block, the recording permission ratio of thenon-boundary area is substantially constant is satisfied. From theforegoing, according to this embodiment, a uniform image substantiallyfree of the inter-band unevenness, the in-band unevenness and theconnecting stripe.

FIG. 18 shows a result of comparison in the image quality after fourpath recording is carried out with the mask patterns of FIGS. 8-11 usingthe ink jet recording system described with FIGS. 2-5, for the purposeof confirming the effects of this embodiment. As will be understood fromthe Figure, use of conventional masks, irrespective of whether it is aflat mask, a gradation mask or a stepwise mask, cannot simultaneouslyreduce all of the inter-band unevenness, the in-band unevenness andconnecting stripe. On the contrary, it is confirmed that the use of themask pattern of this embodiment can simultaneously suppress all of them,and therefore, satisfactory images can be produced.

In the foregoing, an example in which the position of the boundaryportion changes in a triangular shape within the boundary area has beentaken, but various shapes of change of the boundary portion may bemodified. For example, FIG. 14 shows an example of the mask pattern inwhich the position of the boundary portion changes in arcuation shapes,and FIG. 15 shows an example of the mask pattern in which the positionof the boundary portion changes in sawtooth shape. FIG. 16 shows anexample of the mask pattern in which the position of the boundaryportion changes in a sinusoidal wave shape. Any of these shapessatisfies the condition that the position of the boundary portion withrespect to the first direction changes periodically and continuouslywithin the boundary area.

FIG. 17 shows an example in which the position of the boundary portionchanges in the form of sawtooth similarly to FIG. 15, and the amplitude(width of boundary area) and the cyclic period are smaller than those ofthe mask pattern of FIG. 15. In the foregoing examples, the amplitude(width of boundary area) has been described as being 32 pixels, but theamplitude or changing cyclic period are not limiting to the presentinvention. The conspicuousness of the connecting stripe may be differentdepending on a print resolution, an ink ejection amount and/or a kind ofthe recording material, and therefore, the mask patterns adjusted in theamplitude and/or the cyclic period may be prepared.

Furthermore, the boundary area of the embodiment is constituted by sucharrangements of the recording permission pixels and thenon-recording-permission pixels that the recording permission ratio the15%, for example) of one side non-recording area and the recordingpermission ratio (35%, for example) of the other side non-recordingarea, with respect to the boundary portion.

But, this arrangement is not limiting to the present invention, and itis satisfactory if the recording permission pixels and thenon-recording-permission pixels are provided to provide the boundaryarea so that the recording permission ratio of the pixel line in theboundary area changes depending on the position in the main scandirection within the range between the recording permission ratio (15%,for example) of one of the non-boundary area and the recordingpermission ratio (35%, for example) in the other non-boundary area.

Embodiment 2

The embodiment employs a mask pattern six-path recording. FIGS. 19-21show a distribution of recording permission ratios of a plurality ofnozzles and a dispersion state of recording permission pixels in themask patterns of prior art and the present invention.

The nozzle group of this embodiment includes 256 nozzles, but in thecase of six-path recording, only continuous 252 nozzles are used inorder to make the nozzle numbers in each of the nozzle blocks the same.In such a case, the nozzle groups are divided into six nozzle blocks(first-sixth nozzle blocks) each including 42 nozzles in the firstdirection, and between adjacent ones of six scans, the recordingmaterial is fed through a distance corresponding to the width of oneblock. By doing so, a unit area of the recording material having thewidth of one block is recorded by six scans to complete the image. Here,six nozzle blocks are first-sixth blocks. The portions of the maskpattern corresponding to the first-sixth blocks are first-sixth patternportions.

FIG. 19 illustrates an example of the dispersion state of the recordingpermission pixels of a stepwise mask for six paths. In the mask patternof FIG. 19, the recording permission ratios of the first block and thesixth block are 2%, the recording permission ratios of the second blockand the fifth block are 15%, and the recording permission ratios of thethird block and the fourth block are 33%. The mask pattern of thisexample has an area of 128 pixels in a main scan direction (seconddirection) and 252 pixels in a sub-scan direction (first direction). Inthe case that such a stepwise mask is used, the unit area of therecording material is recorded by the first-sixth blocks up to2%+15%+33%+33%+15%+2%=100%. As has been described in the BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION, when the recording is carries out using the stepwise maskshown in FIG. 19, a position (boundary portion) where the recordingpermission ratio significantly changes results in extending linearly inthe second direction (main scan direction). As a result, connectingstripes tend to arise.

FIG. 20 illustrates an example of the dispersion state of the recordingpermission pixels of a gradation mask for six-path recording. With sucha gradation mask, while the recording permission ratios between thenozzle blocks are adjusted to a proper level, the recording permissionratio at the boundary between the nozzle blocks can be made to changegradually and therefore, both of the inter-band unevenness and theconnecting stripe can be suppressed. As described in the foregoing, anin-band unevenness may be brought about when the recording permissionratio changes in each nozzle block.

FIG. 21 illustrates the dispersion state of the recording permissionpixels of the mask pattern for six-path recording according to thepresent invention, which mask pattern is provided so as to suppress allof the inter-band unevenness, the connecting stripe and the in-bandunevenness. The mask pattern of this embodiment is prepared so as tosatisfy all of a first condition for suppressing the inter-bandunevenness, a second condition for suppressing the connection strip anda third condition for suppressing the in-band unevenness.

Referring to FIG. 21, in the neighborhood of the boundary betweenfirst-sixth pattern portions corresponding to the first-sixth blocks,boundary areas L12, L23, L45 and L56 having an area of 32 pixels (16pixels for each pattern portion). In the non-boundary areas of the firstpattern portion and the sixth pattern portion, the number anddistribution of the recording permission pixels are determined such thatthe ratio of the recording permission pixels in each pixel row is 2%. Inthe non-boundary areas of the second pattern portion and the fifthpattern portion, the number and distribution of the recording permissionpixels are determined such that the ratio of the recording permissionpixels in each pixel row is 15%. Furthermore, in the non-boundary areasof the third pattern portion and the fourth pattern portion, the numberand the distribution of the recording permission pixels are determinedsuch that the ratio of the recording permission pixels in each pixel rowis 33%. In this manner, said mask pattern of FIG. 22 satisfies theabove-described first and third conditions.

On the other hand, in the boundary areas L12, L23, L45 and L56, therecording permission ratio of the boundary area changes within the rangeof the recording permission ratio in the non-boundary areas of the twoblocks, the boundary portion being any of the 32 pixels in the boundaryarea. For example, in the boundary area L12, the boundary portion wherethe recording permission ratio 2% of the first block and the recordingpermission ratio 15% of the second block exchange with each other isincluded in any of 32 pixel width. However, a position of the boundaryportion with respect to the first direction changes within the range of32 pixels in the boundary area L12 depending on the position in thesecond direction, similarly to the first embodiment. In the mask patternof the example of FIG. 21, the position of the boundary portion withrespect to the first direction changes in the form of sawtooth dependingon the position in the second direction. Thus, the boundary portionchanges in the first direction, and therefore, in the boundary area L12,the recording permission pixels do not disperse uniformly as contrastedto the non-boundary area.

FIG. 22 illustrates a state that the distribution of the recordingpermission ratios in the first direction changes depending on the pixelposition in the second direction in the mask pattern shown in FIG. 21.Designated by reference numerals 221-223 show distributions of therecording permission ratios in and Line3 Line1, Line2 which are pixellines extending in the first direction. In 221-2123, the abscissarepresents pixel positions with respect to the first direction (sub-scandirection), and the point of origin (0) corresponds to the upstreammost(bottom in the Figure) pixel in the sub-scan direction. An ordinaterepresents the recording permission ratios in the neighborhood area inthe pixel positions. In Line21, the recording permission ratio changesfrom 2% to 15% at the position of 26th pixel, changes from 15% to 33% atthe position of 68th pixel, changes from 33% to 15% at the position of152th pixel, and changes from 15% to 2% at the position of 194th pixel.On the other hand, in Line22, the recording permission ratio changesfrom 2% to 15% at the position of 42th pixel, changes from 15% to 33% atthe position of 84th pixel, changes from 33% to 15% at the position of168th pixel, and changes from 15% to 2% at the position of 210th pixel.In Line23, the recording permission ratio changes from 2% to 15% at theposition of 58th pixel, changes from 15% to 33% at the position of 100thpixel, changes from 33% to 15% at the position of 184th pixel, andchanges from 15% to 2% at the position of 226th pixel. In this manner,according to this embodiment, the position of the boundary portion wherethe recording permission ratio changes among 2%, 15% and 33% is madedifferent depending on the position in the main scan direction (seconddirection). In addition, in this embodiment, the position of theboundary portion changes periodically and continuously within the rangeof the boundary area. As a result, according to the embodiment, thesecond condition in the boundary area that the ratio of the recordingpermission pixels in each pixel row is within the range between therecording permission ratio of the non-boundary area of one of thepattern portions and the ratio of the recording permission pixels of thenon-boundary area of the other pattern portion, and (B) the ratio of therecording permission pixels in the pixel line changes depending on theposition with respect to the main scan direction, can be satisfied.

In addition, the mask pattern of this embodiment described with FIG. 21satisfies the first condition that the recording permission ratios ofthe plurality of nozzle blocks are adjusted for each block. Also, thethird condition that within each nozzle block, the recording permissionratio of the non-boundary area is substantially constant is satisfied.From the foregoing, according to this embodiment, a uniform imagesubstantially free of the inter-band unevenness, the in-band unevennessand the connecting stripe, in a six-path bi-directional recording.

In the foregoing, the description has been made as to the structure ofthe mask pattern in which the position of the boundary portion changesin all the boundary areas between adjacent blocks having differentrecording permission ratios relative to each other. However, dependingon the conspicuousness of the connecting stripe, the variation of theposition of the boundary portion is not necessary in all of the boundaryareas. For example, consider the case that the connecting stripe isconspicuous in the boundary between an area having the recordingpermission ratio of 2% (first recording permission ratio) and an areahaving the recording permission ratio of 15% (second recordingpermission ratio), but the connecting stripe is not conspicuous in theboundary between an area having the recording permission ratio of 15%(third recording permission ratio) and an area having the recordingpermission ratio of 33% (fourth recording permission ratio). In such acase, a mask pattern shown in FIG. 23 in which the feature of thepresent invention is incorporated partly can be used. In other words,the position of the boundary portion is changed only in the boundaryarea (L12) and the boundary area, and a conventional stepwise mask maybe used in the other boundary areas between adjacent nozzle blocks. Onthe contrary, in the case that the connecting stripe is not conspicuousin the boundary between 2% and 15% recording permission ratio areas, butthe connecting stripe is conspicuous in the boundary between 15% and 33%recording permission ratio areas, the mask pattern shown in FIG. 24 isusable. In other words, the position of the boundary portion is changedonly in the boundary area (L23) and boundary area, and the conventionalstepwise mask is used in the other boundaries. In the case that thedegree of the connecting stripe is not so significant, the structure ofthe present invention is used only in the boundary area (L12), forexample, and the conventional stepwise mask may be used in the otherblocks.

As for the changing shape of the boundary portion also in thisembodiment, various shapes can be employed similarly to the firstembodiment. The amplitude and/or variation cyclic period are not limitedto the examples, but various adjustment can be used.

Other Embodiments

Above-described in the foregoing embodiments, the changing shape, theamplitude or the cyclic period in the boundary portion of the maskpattern can be adjusted depending on the conspicuousness of theconnecting stripe or the like. The conspicuousness of the image defector the required image quality are different depending on the kind of therecording material, usage of the print, the distance of observation andso on, even if the same recording apparatus is used. For example,general observation distances are different between a prints of a postcard size and a poster. Therefore, the recording apparatus may beprovided with a plurality of mask patterns adjusted in accordance withvarious conditions including the kind and/or size of the recordingmaterial, the image quality required by the user and so on and means foroperating the apparatus in recording modes using such mask patterns. Bydoing so, even when the recording condition changes, the user can selectand designate an appropriate recording mode at all times.

In the embodiments described in the foregoing, the cyclic period of thechange of the boundary portion is not particularly limited, but theresults of investigations and confirmations by the inventors haverevealed that the cyclic period is preferably not less than 5 pixels inthe main scan direction in the case of an apparatus recording an imageof 1200 dpi as in the foregoing embodiments. In such a case, however,the configuration may not be constant if the cyclic period of not lessthan 5 pixels is maintained in the main scan direction. The shapes ofthe sinusoidal wave, the sawtooth, the arcuation may appear at random,and the amplitude and/or cyclic period may change in various ways.

In the foregoing embodiments, the recording head has a nozzle groupincluding 256 nozzles for each color, and the mask pattern is largeenough to cover 128 pixels the first direction)×256 pixels (seconddirection).

However, the present invention is not limited to such a structure. Thenumber of the nozzles in the nozzle group may be larger than the above,and the size of the mask pattern in the first direction (sub-scandirection) may be the pixel number corresponding to the number of thenozzle used for the recording. The size in the second direction (mainscan direction) is not limited to a particular range, but when thechange in the boundary portion is periodical, the pixel number ispreferably not less than the cyclic period.

In the foregoing description of the embodiments, a color ink jetrecording apparatus provided with a recording head having nozzle groupscorresponding to four color inks in which the recording is effectedwhile moving the recording head to the X direction has been taken as anexample, but the present invention is not limited to such an apparatus.In order to eject more kinds of inks, more than four nozzle groups maybe used, and on the other hand, only one nozzle group of black color maybe provided. In the case of black color only, no inter-band unevennessappears due to the order of color ink applications, but the inter-bandunevenness attributable to a difference in the application timing duringa plurality of recording scans, and the present invention issufficiently advantageous in such a case. When a plurality of inks areused, the conspicuousness of the image defect such as the connectingstripe may be different depending on the ink colors. In such a case, itwill be advantageous to prepare the mask patterns for each ink colorindependently.

Furthermore, in the foregoing description of the embodiments, theexecution of a series of image processing steps is shared by the hostapparatus 100 and the recording apparatus 104 as shown in FIG. 5, butthe present invention is not limited to such a structure. For example,the multi-value data having been subjected to the γ process J0004 may betransferred to the recording apparatus 104, and the recording apparatus104 may execute the binarization process and the masking process.Further alternatively, all steps up to the masking process J0008 may beexecuted by the host apparatus, or all the steps after the preliminarypart J0002 may be executed by the recording apparatus. In any event, therecording apparatus or recording system wherein the record data laterbinarization is allotted to the nozzles in accordance with thepredetermined recording ratio, and a multi-path recording is effected,is within the present invention.

In the foregoing embodiment, the multi-path recording is accomplished byusing a mask pattern in which the permission or non-permission ofrecording for each pixel is determined beforehand. However, in such acase, the image data provided by logical multiplication of the imagedata and the mask pattern is allotted to the respective nozzles in theplurality of blocks.

Therefore, the distribution of the image data (recorded pixels) afterthe allotment is not exactly the same as the distribution of therecording permission ratios of the mask pattern shown in theembodiments. However, generally, when the mask pattern is used, therecording permission ratios of the blocks determined by the mask patternare substantial the same as a ratio of the actually recording pixels bythe blocks by one recording scan. Therefore, the determination of therecording permission ratios of the blocks by the mask pattern issubstantially equivalent to the determination of actual recording ratiosof the blocks.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described in the foregoing, according to the present invention, in arecording apparatus and method in which recording material is effectedusing a recording head, the inter-band unevenness, the connecting stripeand the in-band unevenness can be reduced simultaneously.

1. A recording apparatus for effecting recording on a recording materialusing a recording head including a plurality of nozzles usable for therecording, the nozzles being arranged in a first direction, saidrecording apparatus comprising: moving means for moving said recordinghead in a second direction crossing with the first direction; feedingmeans for feeding the recording material in the first direction by adistance corresponding to a width of one of a plurality of nozzle blocksinto which said plurality of nozzles are divided, between movements ofsaid recording; and control means executing the recording of saidrecording head during the movement of said recording head in accordancewith image data corresponding to said nozzles and a mask pattern formasking the image data; wherein (i) said mask pattern includes at leasta first pattern portion for masking the image data corresponding to eachnozzle of a first nozzle block included in said plurality of nozzleblocks, and a second pattern portion for masking the image datacorresponding to each nozzle of a second nozzle block adjacent saidfirst nozzle block, (ii) a ratio of recording permission pixels in eachpixel row extending in the second direction in a non-boundary area ofsaid first pattern portion is substantially a first value, and a ratioof recording permission pixels in each pixel row extending in the seconddirection in a non-boundary area of said second pattern portion issubstantially a second value which is different from a first value,(iii) in a boundary area including a boundary between said first patternportion and said second pattern portion, a ratio of recording permissionpixels in each pixel row extending in the second direction is betweenthe first value and the second value, and the ratios of the recordingpermission pixels in a pixel line extending in the first direction aredifferent depending on a position with respect to the second direction.2. A recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of therecording permission pixels in a first pixel line of the boundary areais substantially the first value, and the ratio of the recordingpermission pixels in a second pixel line of the boundary area issubstantially the second value, and the ratio of the recordingpermission pixels in a third pixel line which is between the first pixelline and the second pixel line with respect to the second direction isbetween the first value and the second value.
 3. A recording apparatusaccording to claim 1 or 2, wherein said first nozzle block includes anozzle of said nozzles located at one end portion.
 4. A recordingapparatus according to any one of claim 1 or 2, wherein said maskpattern further includes a third pattern portion for masking the imagedata corresponding to each nozzle of a third nozzle block adjacent saidsecond nozzle block, (i) the ratio of the recording permission pixels ineach pixel row extending in the second direction in a non-boundary areaof said third pattern portion is substantially the third value, and (ii)the ratio of the recording permission pixels in each pixel row of aboundary area including a boundary between said third pattern portionand said second pattern portion is between the third value and thesecond value, and the ratios of recording permission pixels in eachpixel line the boundary area including the boundary between the thirdpattern portion and the second pattern portion are different dependingon a position with respect to the second direction.
 5. A recordingapparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said mask pattern includesa third pattern portion for masking the image data corresponding to eachnozzle of a third nozzle block adjacent said second nozzle block, afourth pattern portion for masking the image data corresponding to eachnozzle of a fourth nozzle block adjacent said third nozzle block, (i)the ratio of the recording permission pixels in each pixel row extendingin the second direction in a non-boundary area of said third patternportion is substantially the second value, and the ratio of therecording permission pixels in each pixel row extending in the seconddirection in a non-boundary area of said fourth pattern portion issubstantially the first value, and (ii) the ratio of the recordingpermission pixels in each pixel row of a boundary area including aboundary between said third pattern portion and said fourth patternportion is between the first value and the second value, and the ratioof the recording permission pixels in each pixel line extending in thefirst direction in the boundary area including the boundary between thethird pattern portion and the fourth pattern portion is differentdepending on a position with respect to the second direction.
 6. Anapparatus according to claim 5, wherein said first nozzle block includesa nozzle of said nozzles located at one end portion, and said fourthnozzle block includes a nozzle of said nozzles located at the other endportion.
 7. A recording method for effecting recording on a recordingmaterial using a recording head including a plurality of nozzles usablefor the recording, the nozzles being arranged in a first direction, saidrecording method comprising: a moving step of moving said recording headin a second direction crossing with the first direction; a feeding stepof feeding the recording material in the first direction by a distancecorresponding to a width of one of a plurality of nozzle blocks intowhich said plurality of nozzles are divided, between movements of saidrecording; and a recording step of executing the recording of saidrecording head during the movement of said recording head in accordancewith image data corresponding to said nozzles and a mask pattern formasking the image data; wherein (i) said mask pattern includes at leasta first pattern portion for masking the image data corresponding to eachnozzle of a first nozzle block included in said plurality of nozzleblocks, and a second pattern portion for masking the image datacorresponding to each nozzle of a second nozzle block adjacent saidfirst nozzle block, (ii) a ratio of recording permission pixels in eachpixel row extending in the second direction in a non-boundary area ofsaid first pattern portion is substantially a first value, and a ratioof recording permission pixels in each pixel row extending in the seconddirection in a non-boundary area of said second pattern portion issubstantially a second value which is different from a first value, and(iii) in a boundary area including a boundary between said first patternportion and said second pattern portion, a ratio of recording permissionpixels in each pixel row extending in the second direction is betweenthe first value and the second value, and the ratios of the recordingpermission pixels in a pixel line extending in the first direction aredifferent depending on a position with respect to the second direction.8. A recording method according to claim 7, wherein the ratio of therecording permission pixels in a first pixel line of the boundary areais substantially the first value, and the ratio of the recordingpermission pixels in a second pixel line of the boundary area issubstantially the second value, and the ratio of the recordingpermission pixels in a third pixel line which is between the first pixelline and the second pixel line with respect to the second direction isbetween the first value and the second value.